On the morning of June 30, 2015, Kerry Brown’s struggle to survive the ravages and treatment for cancer of the parotid gland came to an end. He died at Saint Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana with his loving wife Gail and family members nearby. Kerry was 63 years old, just days away from his 64th birthday.
Kerry Brown was born in Billings, Montana on July 4, 1951. He is the eldest of three sons born to Gene Gordon Brown and Dolores “Dode” Fellows Brown. In 1992, Kerry married Gail Lynn Von Tersch Brown and began family life with Gail’s daughter Christina and his son Kory from a previous marriage.
Kerry began school in Billings and continued his education in Rawlins, Wyoming and the Helena schools when the family moved here. He graduated from Helena High School with the class of 1969. Kerry then attended MSU for four years from 1969 to 1973, working toward a degree in music education but did not finish because of opportunities to tour and play music professionally.
After a brief marriage to Holly Boone Brown, Kerry took on the job of raising their son, Kory Gene Brown, who was born in 1975. Kerry supported himself and Kory in these years with music jobs, house painting and working at several local garages.
In addition to his ongoing profession as a musician, Kerry began working for the State Of Montana, first maintaining the vehicles in the State Motor Pool fleet and then moving on to the State Highway Shop building the orange snowplows we see every winter. When he retired in 2009, he had been the Superintendant of the State Highway Shop for a number of years.
Kerry Brown was a man of many interests and talents. Music was a big one. He liked and learned to play many styles. He was a good listener and had a great ear. But he liked lots of other things too like motorcycling, camping, sports, dogs, boating, snowmobiling, trucks, trailers and travel. He prized and possessed a shop full of quality tools and was expert at repairing and restoring machines and equipment. He was a skilled “DIY” guy as witnessed by the beautiful work done on his home and yard. As an occupation after retirement, he became an expert at repair and restoration of percussion equipment. He could make a beat up school tympani drum look and play like it just came off the showroom floor.
Kerry was a highly respected and valued musician, specializing in drums and percussion. He performed with and was a member of many excellent groups over his nearly five decades of musical career. Some of those groups include: Helena Symphony Orchestra, State Capital Band, Helena Chamber Singers, The George Groesbeck Trio, The White Mill Brothers, Last Chance Dixieland Jazz Band, La Misma Gente, Heritage, Mid Life Crisis, Carousel, Jazz Sunday at St. Paul’s UMC and accompanied the St. Paul’s Choir. His skills and reputation as a drummer were such that he was often chosen to back up big time performers like Dion Warwick when they would make appearances in Montana.
Kerry is a longtime member of the Helena Symphony Orchestra and was an active member and officer of AFM Local 642 (musicians) for many years. Kerry and Gail are members of St. Paul’s UMC.
His father, Gene Brown and his mother, Dolores “Dode” Brown, preceded Kerry Gene Brown in death.
He is survived by his wife Gail Brown, his son Kory Brown, his grandson Jakob Brown, his brothers Kim Brown and Kelly Brown (Tenzin Dhongthog), and his step- daughter Christina Gantt (Coty Rogers). Other survivors include his mother and father in law, George and Carol Von Tersch, sisters in law Cathy Stone (Don Stone and niece Claire) and Linda Clarkson (Cameron Clarkson and niece Catie, nephew Nathan), brother in law Brad Von Tersch (nephews Bryce, Travis and niece Sarah), and his black Labrador retriever, Melody Lane.
Kerry’s family wishes to thank Dr. Weiner, Emily and Todd Burton and the Oncology Nurses at St. Peter’s Hospital for their care and professionalism.
A Celebration of Kerry’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 6th, 2015 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St., with a reception to follow the service at the church. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Kerry.
Memorials are suggested to: Helena Symphony Orchestra Association; 2 Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601 and Pads For Paws Foundation; P.O. Box 287, Helena, MT 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Monday July 6, 2015
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Monday July 6, 2015
Social Hall of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Kori and Steve Dee says
We loved Kerry and his love of music and family and life. Steve and I have wonderful memories of visits and talks with Kerry, usually around music. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Kerry’s family. God Speed Kerry!
Ray and Janet Gill says
Gail and family what can we say that hasn’t already been said about Kerry ? We are so saddened and are grieving the loss of a good man and friend. We each have our set of special memories of Kerry, lots of good times to think and remember. Our prayers for the coming days, weeks and even years will be for you always. May you draw on and rest in the peace and comfort of the Lord. Take good care.
Tom Naegele says
Dear Family,
Blessed to know Kerry since grade-school days. Enjoyed him and his music. Prayers of Support and Condolence to Kerry’s Family.
Gary & Joy Novota says
Dear Gail & all – we are saddened & stunned, & we send you our deepest sympathies. Our community will miss him in so many musical ways, & the memories are many! May angels surround you with comfort. Prayers are flowing for your family.
Inez Slayman says
My prayers and thoughts to you Kory and Kelly, and the Brown family. Take comfort in your memories with Kerry. He was a neighbor years ago and our sons hung out together. Take heart that he continues playing beautiful music with his parents.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
What a joy to watch Kerry play in the Symphony Orchestra. His talent and enthusiasm will certainly be missed. To Kerry’s family, please know we are thinking of you all at this very difficult time. We valued Kerry’s talent and friendship.
Kathy Connors says
Dear Gail and family. Mick and I are so sorry to hear of Kerry’s death. He was definitely one of the good ones, a very kind and caring person. He made a particular impact on Kevin’s life with drum lessons and giving him the experience to play in the symphony many years ago. Kevin was very fond of him. You are all in our thoughts.
Dick Paulsen says
Kerry (Ka-Ree to me), always made my day when we ran into each other, the last being a few weeks ago at Vans. We had talked about his medical condition over the past several months and he was mad about the lack of early proper diagnosis and treatment. But I mostly remember Kerry as being such a great single Dad to Kory and all of the fun things we talked about and did, usually on weekends playing a club. I am fortunate to have played music with many talented musicians like Kerry, but Kerry was the funnest ever, and sang the highest harmonies — spot on! Kerry really cared about people. Both of our boys, Mike and Matt, enjoyed Kerrys guidance when playing the sticks in the summer band in Helena and Carol loved those hugs and his spontaneous, mischievous wit. I still owe him a sneak snowball attack, in the middle of the night.
Bill Moore says
i met Kerry through mu work great guy always smilling and no matter where he saw you always said hello what is happening he will be missed by all.
John Dorr says
I first met Kerry at the Department of Transportation when I was selling tools, and we discovered that we were brothers in drums. We always stayed in touch and in later years played in the Helena Symphony together. Kerry was one who always answered the call for whatever it took, usually going way above and beyond the call of duty – and the call of duty was often very demanding. He was a very supportive and easy-to-get-along-with percussion section leader, a pleasure to perform with. I’ve lost a friend and the Helena Symphony has lost a huge contributor to its success.
Krys Holmes says
Kindness and humor were the two beats of Kerry’s rhythm, which he lived in beautiful syncopation. What a gift to our world he has been, and will continue to be. Blessings on the family in our shared time of loss.
Michael Rigler says
My condolences to the family and friends of Kerry. He was a good friend, teacher, and musical inspiration to me back in the early 80’s, basically giving me my foundation as a percussionist. I think about him every time I play.
Jan Sassano Funston says
Dear Kelly and family,
So sorry to hear about Kerry. I haven’t seen him for a couple years, but always enjoyed our chance encounters. My thoughts are with all of you.
Randy Greer says
Had the privilege of playing congas with Kerry in the group La Misma Gente in the 1970’s. May he Rest In Peace, and we will see him on the other side.
Randy R. Rusek says
My condolences. I haven’t seen Kerry in 40 years. Even then, you could always count on him. Superb percussionist too.
Cora Helm says
I worked with Kerry a little at the highway department, but I didn’t really see him in all his glory until I experienced his musicianship with the Helena Chamber Singers. Oh my goodness, I was so taken by his talent, enthusiasm and joy for the music. It was truly an honor and privilege to be on stage with Kerry. Best wishes to you, his family and friends, as you adjust to life without him.
Jasen and Jan says
Our deepest sympathies. They say everything for a reason, of this i’m not so sure. We will always remember the good times camping , Fairmont HotSprings, and the nice chats with Kerry at the grocery store. He is surely missed. Very sorry. Love and Prayers!
Jack Jasper says
I heard about Kerry’s death from Mark Schummer. i’ve never met him, but he must have got my email. I’m really sorry to hear about this. I didn’t know he had cancer. Every once in a while I’d hear from him about a trip he was taking on his bike. I studied drums with Kerry and I was an older person who had heard about him. I used to be in a band in Chicago and my friend who is still playing said he thought I should study drums because he thought I had something for it. Kerry knew I was older, but he still took me on and I learned to read drum music with him. He was a great teacher and I really liked him. I’m actually an artist, but I did play drums when I was younger. So I’m really sorry to hear that he passed. He was a great teacher and a wonderful man. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Carol Ann (Hoell) Dietzen says
I so liked Kerry, from the time we were classmates at Broadwater Elementary School here in Helena! Kerry was so full of life and was a joy to be around. His sense of humor was such a talent and blessing all through his life. His musical talent was outstanding, and along with his daily job, he had a definite passion for drumming. Kerry will be greatly missed by those who had the honor and privilege of knowing him!
Gail says
Miss you babe . . . but you know that.